Doctors Without Borders/International Work

[Dawkter]

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Just wondering if anyone has participated in any international anesthesia opportunities ranging from DWB or even with a local organization/hospital. If so, where did you go and how was your experience? Is it relatively easy to get involved in international projects as an anesthesiologist and is there a significant need for them in the field? Of course any surgery group that goes on a mission trip will definitely require ample anesthesia staff...

 

[PMPMD]

Just wondering if anyone has participated in any international anesthesia opportunities ranging from DWB or even with a local organization/hospital. If so, where did you go and how was your experience? Is it relatively easy to get involved in international projects as an anesthesiologist and is there a significant need for them in the field? Of course any surgery group that goes on a mission trip will definitely require ample anesthesia staff...

I went to Guyana with a group from my wife's OB/Gyn residency (they are establishing a residency there). It wasn't exactly surgery in a tent, but conditions were vastly different than in the US. It was a great experience.

 

[PMPMD]

Just wondering if anyone has participated in any international anesthesia opportunities ranging from DWB or even with a local organization/hospital. If so, where did you go and how was your experience? Is it relatively easy to get involved in international projects as an anesthesiologist and is there a significant need for them in the field? Of course any surgery group that goes on a mission trip will definitely require ample anesthesia staff...

The MSF site states that anesthesiologists are "urgently needed," and they allow shorter than usual commitments of 1 month.

 

[imfrankie]

It's the best Dawkter. You'll find lots of opportunities. No amount of money gives fulfillment like mission work in my opinion. You are going to love it. CURE is a group I work with btw. The MSF folks especially like it if you parlay vu fronsay.

 

[dhb]

www.mercyships.org
they don't seem to be in need of anesthesiologist for the moment

 

[pgg]

Operation Smile is an excellent organization.

 

[doctor712]

Friend of mine mentioned he goes with a small group out of Nashville known as Kids First. Also, Operation Smile, it was explained to me, does take medical students... so that's an option for med students lurking...

D712

 

[lushmd]

I volunteered at Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti last year. It was a phenomenal experience, both from a service/humanitarian standpoint and from that of education. As PMPMD mentioned re his experience, things were very different from what I'm used to in the US (large academic medical center). Also, they are frequently in need of anesthesiologists.

 

[RT2MD]

Friend of mine mentioned he goes with a small group out of Nashville known as Kids First. Also, Operation Smile, it was explained to me, does take medical students... so that's an option for med students lurking...

D712

Interesting information... I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks for sharing. 👍

 

[TrustMe]

I think PMPMD told me that he actually had sux and pentothal down there (correct me if I remembered wrong). Maybe these places are actually better stocked than our places. Just kidding.

I did some missions work in rural Thailand as a med student. It is so refreshing to see people that are amazingly grateful for the smallest amount of help you give them. I am looking forward to finding an organization to work with as an anesthesiologist.

Keep the ideas/suggestions coming if you know of or have been a part of any organizations.

 

[dmal]

The most rural of places, at least in Africa, where there is no vent, no oxygen, hardly any of your "standard monitors" tend to use only ketamine, some atropine, and maybe valium thrown in once in a while

Maybe some of you have read this but, if you've got some down time, check out this blog, Mission: Implausible. It's a pretty interesting read about the adventures of an anesthesiologist volunteering in Africa.

http://franklincobos.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-report.html

He has also written a book "It Could be Worse" detailing most of his experience in Africa. Though his approach was a little drastic- he just got up one day and decided he was going to Africa for a year, it might give some an idea of what you'd be up against in some countries.